ARRI sells its filial Claypaky to the Asian EK

The Chinese firm I, specialized in lighting for the entertainment industry, will be the new owner of Claypacks, brand acquired by ARRI just two years ago.

As explained Chris Richter, general director of ARRI, this decision is part of a “strategic realignment” that will allow them to focus on their “main business“Clearly recognizing the potential of Claypaky, it was important for us to find a new owner who will pursue next-level growth based on deep market knowledge and a long-term strategic vision, both for Claypaky and its customers,” he explained.

The acquisition, the brands explain, highlights the commitment of the three parties to their main markets, along with a renewed interest in “innovation, operational excellence, adaptability and long-term resilience”. Although the details of the integration between Claypacks y I are yet to be defined, Claypaky will maintain its headquarters and core competencies in R&D and operations in Italy. The transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Marcus Grasser, CEO of Claypacks, has defined its collaboration with ARRI as a "valuable and rewarding journey": "We part with sincere gratitude, especially for the insights gained from ARRI's deep experience in the film industry, which will continue to influence our path into the future. At the same time, we look forward to the opportunities that the new ownership brings us. We are confident that we will benefit from EK's strong development, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities, which could open new doors for us in terms of new product development, scalability and global market access."

Finally, Raymond Chen, CEO of I, añade: “La adquisición de Claypaky, junto con su marca teatral ADB, es una inversión estratégica que enriquece significativamente nuestra cartera. Claypaky, una marca de casi 50 años arraigada en el diseño italiano y reconocida mundialmente por su innovación, refuerza así nuestra presencia global, especialmente en el mercado europeo. Esta adquisición marca el siguiente paso en nuestra evolución. Con nuestra experiencia combinada en fabricación, nuestro espíritu innovador y la ampliación de nuestra base industrial, estamos bien posicionados para seguir dando forma al futuro de la iluminación de entretenimiento en todo el mundo”.